Direct lubricating input shaft assembly

Abstract

Transmission input shaft that includes a rearward end, a forward end, an interior circumferential surface, and an outer circumferential surface. A lubrication channel is positioned between the interior surface and the outer surface.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A generally hollow shaft, comprising:
 a rearward end containing a plurality of splines, a forward end containing a plurality of splines, an interior surface, and an outer surface; 
 a central bore on the forward end of the generally hollow shaft; 
 a bushing disposed within the central bore containing a bushing slot for allowing oil to flow along the interior surface and out of the central bore; 
 a lubrication circuit feed hole disposed on the outer surface of the generally hollow shaft, extending from the outer surface to the interior surface; 
 a bridge disposed within the generally hollow shaft preventing oil from flowing towards the rearward end; 
 a circular lubrication channel positioned between the interior surface and the outer surface; and 
 the circular lubrication channel extends in the axial direction between the inner surface and the outer surface and after a distance makes about a 90 degree turn and extends in the radial direction to an exit in a top portion of the forward end. 
 
     
     
       2. The generally hollow shaft according to  claim 1 , wherein the circular lubrication channel extends between the interior surface and the forward end. 
     
     
       3. The generally hollow shaft according to  claim 1 , wherein the forward end comprises a top portion of the forward end, the circular lubrication channel extends between the interior surface and the top portion of the forward end. 
     
     
       4. The generally hollow shaft according to  claim 1 , wherein the interior surface is generally circumferential. 
     
     
       5. The generally hollow shaft according to  claim 1 , wherein the outer surface is generally circumferential. 
     
     
       6. The generally hollow shaft according to  claim 1 , further comprising a trough disposed adjacent the exit of the lubrication channel. 
     
     
       7. The generally hollow shaft according to  claim 1 , wherein the entrance to the lubrication channel is positioned in the axial direction, and after a distance the lubrication channel proceeds in the radial direction as the lubrication channel proceeds towards the forward end. 
     
     
       8. A generally hollow transmission input shaft, comprising:
 a rearward end containing a plurality of splines, a forward end containing a plurality of splines, an interior circumferential surface, and an outer circumferential surface; 
 a central bore on the forward end of the generally hollow shaft 
 a bushing disposed within the central bore containing a bushing slot for allowing oil to flow along the interior circumferential surface and out of the central bore; 
 a lubrication circuit feed hole disposed on the outer circumferential surface of the generally hollow shaft, extending from the outer circumferential surface to the interior circumferential surface; 
 a bridge disposed within the inner portion of the generally hollow shaft preventing oil from flowing towards the rearward end; 
 and 
 a circular lubrication channel disposed within the shaft and positioned between the interior circumferential surface and the outer circumferential surface with an entrance to the lubrication channel positioned on the interior circumferential surface of the shaft, wherein the lubrication channel extends in the axial direction between the inner circumferential surface and outer circumferential surface and after a distance makes about a 90 degree turn and extends in the radial direction to an exit in a top portion of the forward end. 
 
     
     
       9. The generally hollow transmission input shaft according to  claim 8 , wherein the lubrication channel extends between the interior circumferential surface and the forward end. 
     
     
       10. The generally hollow transmission input shaft according to  claim 8 , wherein the forward end comprises a top portion of the forward end, the lubrication channel extends between the interior circumferential surface and the top portion of the forward end. 
     
     
       11. The generally hollow transmission input shaft according to  claim 8 , further comprising a trough disposed adjacent the exit of the lubrication channel. 
     
     
       12. The generally hollow transmission input shaft according to  claim 8 , wherein the entrance to the lubrication channel is positioned in the axial direction, and after a distance the lubrication channel proceeds in the radial direction as the lubrication channel proceeds towards the forward end. 
     
     
       13. A generally hollow transmission input shaft, comprising:
 a rearward end, a forward end with a top portion, an interior surface, and an outer surface; 
 a central bore on the forward end of the generally hollow shaft; 
 a bushing disposed within the central bore containing a bushing slot for allowing oil to flow along the interior surface and out of the central bore; 
 a lubrication circuit feed hole disposed on the outer surface of the generally hollow shaft, extending from the outer surface to the interior surface; 
 a bridge disposed within the generally hollow shaft preventing oil from flowing towards the rearward end; 
 a circular lubrication channel positioned between the interior surface and the outer surface having an entrance disposed within the interior surface and an exit on the top portion of the forward end; and 
 a trough positioned surrounding the exit of the channel and extends along the top portion of the shaft and towards the outer surface of the shaft. 
 
     
     
       14. The generally hollow transmission input shaft according to  claim 13 , wherein the entrance to the lubrication channel is positioned in the axial direction, and after a distance the lubrication channel makes about a 90 degree turn and proceeds in the radial direction as the lubrication channel proceeds towards the forward end. 
     
     
       15. The generally hollow transmission input shaft according to  claim 13 , wherein the interior surface is generally circumferential. 
     
     
       16. The generally hollow transmission input shaft according to  claim 13 , wherein the outer surface is generally circumferential.